When bacteria or viruses infect the sinuses, increased inflammation of the mucous lining blocks the ability to drain. This is the condition called sinusitis. When the antiviral, antibacterial, decongestant, and anti-inflammatory properties of essential oils come together, they offer a complete remedy.
Alone or combined, some suggested essential oils for sinusitis are:
• Eucalyptus
• Helichrysum
• Peppermint
• Rosemary
• Tea tree
Safety First
Prolonged infection or darker-colored mucus is a sign to see a healthcare professional.
When you’re stuffed up and feeling the pain of sinus pressure, these aromatherapy methods may offer relief.
• Warm compress. Holding a warm, oil-infused compress to your sinuses can help relieve inflammation.
• Steam treatment. This easy technique uses steam (which could come from a hot shower) and soothing essential oils to open your nasal passages and relieve irritation.
• In the air. Simply diffusing or inhaling certain essential oils can help reduce the inflammation, infection, and congestion of sinusitis.
Natural Partners for Aromatherapy
For maximum results, combine your essential oils with these other natural remedies:
• Flush it out. For nasal or sinus congestion, rinse or spray the area with saline solution.
• Hydrate. Keeping the mucous membranes moist helps them do their job properly.
• Try TCM. The Traditional Chinese Medicine remedy called biyan pian offers very successful relief (buy from companies in the United States guaranteeing no contamination with heavy metals or pharmaceuticals).
Get on your way to feeling better and relieving a head full of sinus pressure with these aromatherapy recipes.
The combination of heat with pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory oils provides quick relief for irritated nasal passages.
2 drops peppermint oil
2 drops eucalyptus oil
2 drops rosemary oil
1 tablespoon carrier oil
1 cup warm or hot water
1 clean washcloth
Combine the oils in a large bowl, then stir in the water. Soak the washcloth in the water, wring it out, and apply it to your sinuses. Hold it there until the washcloth comes to room temperature. Repeat the process with a fresh cloth, as needed.
When inhaled with steam, anti-inflammatory helichrysum and decongestant eucalyptus open nasal passages and relieve inflamed sinuses.
3 cups hot (not boiling) water
3 drops helichrysum oil
3 drops eucalyptus oil
1 towel
Add the hot (not boiling) water and essential oils to a large glass bowl and stir to blend. Sit or stand with your head over the bowl, use the towel to tent your head, and breathe deeply for several minutes so that the oil-infused steam enters your nasal passages and throat. Use caution: Close your eyes and breathe in slowly on the first breath.